Download HEALTHY LUNCH SUGGESTIONS

LUNCHBOX SUGGESTIONS
FOR BACK TO SCHOOL
When packing lunch for your kids, nutrition is the key! The added fats and
sugars do not add nutrition to their diet just added calories. Choose from the
many choices of wholesome healthy foods. Once kids begin to taste the
goodness and flavor, lunch time will become one of their favorite parts of
the day!
Some healthy suggestions to include in your child’s lunches include:
 Whole grain rolls, pita pockets, bagels, or bread are healthy basesvary the type of bread each day; cut the bread into fun shapes with
cookie cutters.
 Pasta salad is a good choice. Use fun-shaped and colored pasta, such
as small shells, wagon wheels, or ABC’s. Add favorite vegetables,
fruits, cheese, etc.
 Chicken, tuna or egg salad with low fat mayo is packed with protein.
Serve in a pita, roll, bread, or small cup. Even whole grain crackers
can be an appealing choice for your kids.
 Lean cuts of turkey, ham or roast beef are favorites with kids. Roll up
with cheese, as a change from a sandwich.
 Have the deli give you thick slices instead of thin ones, and then cut
them into shapes with cookie cutters.
 Jazz up old standbys- add raisins and granola to peanut butter and
jelly sandwiches.
 Raw vegetables are a good choice when served for kids in mind. For
example, serve celery sticks cut into small pieces filled with peanut
butter; serve baby carrots, cucumber, broccoli with a low fat dressing,
like Ranch; chop tomatoes in a small cup and add a favorite salad
dressing; add lettuce, tomatoes, etc. in a sandwich to add more
veggies to the day!
 Send string cheese with whole grain crackers for a change from the
usual sandwich.
 Don’t forget the fruit! Dried fruits work as well as apples, bananas,
grapes, strawberries, kiwi, melon cubes and a low fat flavored yogurt
for a dip.
 Soups in a thermos- vegetable varieties are best!
 When it comes to beverages, low fat milk
is best- it doesn’t matter
if it is white or chocolate, because when a child drinks milk at lunch,
they are getting the proper nutrition and added calcium, protein,
Vitamin D. Sweetened drinks like Kool-Aid, sodas, and other sweet
“drinks” have a lot of added sugar and little to no nutrition benefit.
 Make a fruit shake and send in a special drink container. Bananas or
strawberries with low fat milk and yogurt mixed together like a
milkshake!
 Cereal in a bag or cereal with milk for lunch! A breakfast favorite
becomes a lunch time treat!
 Desserts in lunches can include fig newtons, oatmeal raisin cookies,
raisin squares, low fat granola bars, graham crackers, flavored mini
rice cakes, Jell-O with fruit.
 Be creative! Think outside of the brown bag! And don’t forget to hide
that special note or card in their lunch, telling them how much you
love them and how special they are. What a way to start their mid day
meal!!